Whooping Cough Makes a Comeback in California

First, California's officially declared epidemic of Pertussis, or Whooping Cough, is the worst such outbreak since the 1950's. It's an awful, sometimes deadly, disease that can suffocate infants who cough so hard they can't catch their breath. And it's highly contagious. Since the 1940's vaccinations have reduced the deaths from Whooping Cough almost to zero. Public health officials are urging parents to vaccinate their children, but in California, parents can easily opt out by signing what are called "personal belief waivers." We hear more from investigative reporter Christina Jewett, LA County Public Health Director Jonathan Fielding and To the Point producer Katie Cooper, who spoke with several parents in Santa Monica.

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